Aristotle

Question 1

Aristotle’s differences from Plato.

Answer 1

-He preferred an understanding of reality, rather than an obscure world of forms.
- Forms can not exist outside of reality.
- The form of imperfect things exist, meaning that forms are not perfect eg the form of a blind man.
-There is no pre-existent soul: knowledge is gained through observation.
- Everything in the world is changing, like an acorn into an oak tree.

Question 2

Aristotle’s 4 causes.

Answer 2

1) Material: The things that something is made of.
2) Efficient: What causes something to come into existence. (Cause+ effect.)
3) Formal: The characteristics of something.
4) Telos: The function or purpose of something. Most important.
Eg a statue of Athena. Marble+ bronze, the sculptor+ blacksmith, a beautiful woman, to be worshipped and admired.

Question 3

The prime mover.

Answer 3

Explains change in the world. Everything must have an efficient: nothing comes from nothing, so in a chain of events, there must be a first cause. Infinite regression is not possible. The prime mover is outside of the universe and time: it is eternal and the most perfect being in the universe. It only exists spiritually and must be intelligence and thought.

Question 4

Link to the cat+ milk analogy.

Answer 4

The prime mover does not know about anything in the universe, only itself. Its existence is necessary: it doesn’t rely on anything else. It can not change, as it is perfect.

Question 5

Criticisms.

Answer 5

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